Young Conservatives of Texas Supports Efforts to Eliminate Anti-Competitive TABC LawsConservative Organization Calls for Leveling the Playing Field for Texas Retailers

AUSTIN – The Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT), a non-partisan youth organization committed to promoting conservative values in Texas, has joined Texans for Consumer Freedom (TCF) in its call to eliminate anti-competitive provisions of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. YCT joins TCF alongside Costco, Kroger, Walmart, Brookshire Grocery Company, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Consumer Association, the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, the Texas Retailers Association and free market advocacy groups.

“YCT believes strongly in the principals of free markets and fair competition,” said YCT Chairman Jeff Morris. “Competition is good for consumers, and it is not the role of a government agency to determine who can and cannot compete in a free market economy, no matter what the industry.”

Morris went on to say, “Texas is often considered to be one of the country’s staunchest defenders of free markets, so it is disappointing that our state excludes companies from owning package liquor stores simply because they are publicly traded and provides special loopholes that allow only a handful of privileged families to own more than five. The state of Texas should be encouraging competition, not preventing it.”

“Texans for Consumer Freedom is excited YCT has joined our effort to eliminate anti-competitive aspects of the TABC code that have allowed a small group of families to accumulate hundreds of liquor permits using a special loophole, while restricting all other applicants to five,” said TCF spokesman Travis Thomas. “The TABC has enabled the cartels established by these privileged families to dominate the Texas retail liquor market and protected them by prohibiting publicly traded companies from even competing.”

Thomas went on to say, “Texas consumers deserve and expect the choice and convenience free markets and fair competition provide.”

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Texans for Consumer Freedom is a registered 501(c)(6) education and advocacy organization of retailers, consumers, and free market advocates committed to eliminating anti-competitive aspects of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and standing up for fair competition in the retail sale of spirits. For more information, visit www.TexansForConsumerFreedom.com.

On Monday, April 10, the Texas Senate voted to eliminate a package liquor store law…

About the Organization

Texans for Consumer Freedom is a registered 501(c)(6) education and advocacy organization of retailers, consumers, and free market advocates committed to eliminating unfair aspects of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and standing up for fair competition in the retail sale of spirits for the benefit of Texas consumers.